Blues forward David Perron missed 97 games with concussion-related symptoms after he took a hit from the Sharks’ Joe Thornton in a game in November 2010.

On Saturday, Perron was on the ice in the Blues’ 1-0 win over the Sharks. In an ironic turn, Thornton wasn’t. He missed the game with the flu.

"I'm happy he's back. Hopefully, he stays healthy now," Thornton told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch before the game. "Obviously, you don't want to hurt anybody. It's unfortunate he's been out for so long, but to see him back playing put a smile on my face.

"For him to score in his first game back was exciting, as well. To have him back, it's nice. I wish him all the health in the world now."

Perron missed the final 72 games of last season and returned Dec. 3 in a 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks. Perron, 23, scored the game’s first goal and played 19 minutes. He played 16:35 Saturday night and assisted on the game’s only goal, a power-play goal by Kevin Shattenkirk.